Wagon-bolster



(No Model.)

W. P. BETTENDORF.

WAGON BOLSTER.

Patented July 26, 1892.

NIT-ED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM P. BETTENDORF, OF DAVENPORT, IOlVA.

WAGON-BOLSTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 479,621, dated July 26,1892.

Application filed January 15, 1892. Serial No. 418,135. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. BETTEN- DORF, of Davenport, county ofScott, and State of Iowa, have invented a new and useful Improvement inMetallic Frames for WVagons, &c., of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to an improved sheetmetal bolsterconstructed,together with the standards or stakes at its ends, completein two pieces.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of one of theblanks. Fig. 2 isa top plan View of this blank after the first bendingaction. Fig. 3 is a side view of the same. Fig. 4 is a side View of thecompleted bolster. Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-section of the bolster onthe line 5 5, Fig. 4. Fig. 6 isa horizontal cross-section of one of thestandards on the line 6 6, Fig. l. Fig. 7 is an end View showing theappearance of the twoblanks immediately before their union. Fig. 8 is atop plan view of the middle of the bolster.

As the first step in the manufacture of my bolster I punch or cut fromsheet-steel or other sheet metal of suitable quality and thickness twoblanks of the form represented in Fig. 1 and of a length greater thanthat required for the bolster proper. It will be observed that thisblank, rounded at the ends, increases graduallyin width toward themiddle, where it is materially and abruptly widened on one side. I bendor bolt this blank 1ongitudinally on the dotted lines of Fig. l, turningthe two edges over on the same side at right angles to the middleportion, so that the blank then presents, as shown in Fig.3, a verticalmiddle portion or web a, a horizontal bottom flange a, and a horizontaloverhanging top flange o the outer edge of the top flange beingpreferably turned downward, as shown at a in order to give a finish andto secure increased rigidity. Before or after the flanging of the edgesI form across the middle of the blank a semicircular transverse grooveV, this groove appearing in the flat or unfianged face. At any suitablestage in the operation, before or after the flanging of the edges, Ipunch through each of the blanks a series of holes 0, arranging them sothat those of the one blank register with those of the other. In formingthe holes in one blank the up at the ends, as above described, areplaced face to face, as shown in Fig. 7, and brought tightly together,the tubular rivets of one being thrust through the holes of the otherand flanged or riveted down on the outside, as shown in Fig. 6, so as tobind the two members tightly togetherthroughout theirlength, and thusunite them in a single rigid structure. It will be observed that whenthe parts are thus united the standards present a T form incross-section, as shown in Figs. 4 and and 5, wide vertical faces beingpresented at their inner edges to bear against the sides of thewagon-body. The body of the bolster is of T form with a wide flat bottomsurface to bear upon the top axle and with a wide top surface to supportthe bed or body of the wagon. The flanges turned upward along the top ofthe bolster and the edges of the standards serve not only to give broadbearingfaces, as explained, but also to give the structure as a whole agreat strength and rigidity in proportion to its weight.

While the forms represented are preferred, it is manifest that withoutdeparting from the limits of my invention the outline of the flanges maybe modified so as to give wider or narrower bearing-surfaces and toproduce more or less taper toward the ends.

The essence of the invention lies in the union of two flanged membersface to face.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A wagon-bolsterconstructed of two complementary sheet-metal plates secured togetherface to face and having their upper and lower edges bent outward to formbearing-surfaces, substantially as shown and de scribed.

2. A wagon-bolster with standards at its ends, composed of twocomplementary sheetmetal halves, each consisting of a single piece 5. Asheet-metal wagon-standard consisting of two members of L form incrosssection, joined face to face.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my 15 hand, this 15th day ofDecember,l89l, in the presence of two attesting witnesses.

WILLIAM P. BETTENDORF.

Witnesses:

THOS. B. CARSON, E. D. CLARK.

